Thursday, July 28, 2016

The Secret Language of Stones by M.J. Rose
(historical fiction)Published: July 19, 2016 by Atria Books/Simon & SchusterSeries: The Daughters of La Lune #2
ISBN: 978-1-4767-7809-9
320 pagesAuthor’s page | Goodreads
I was pleasantly surprised when I started this book to realize it was the next in The Daughters of La Lune series. Not that I would have missed out by not reading the first since each one stands on its own as each is about a different member of the family. But still, it was nice to catch up with Sandrine from The Witch of Painted Sorrows and see how her life turned out.

With this book we're in the midst of WWI in Paris. Opaline is Sandrine's daughter and makes jewelry. Except being a Daughter of La Lune, she has a bit of a magical ability that she's not too sure of. What she does know is that she's able to use her power to help others talk to their dead loved ones after creating pieces of jewelry for them.

This book had all I've come to expect with Rose's books. A bit of eerie magical-ness mixed with historical fiction. There's a few passionate love scenes, and of course it ends with a somewhat surprising ending.

Overall I really enjoyed my time in Paris (with a trip to England actually) with Opaline. Except the book read kind of slow to me. I can't quite put my finger on why though. But maybe it was a good thing, since I got to stay wrapped up in the world a little longer. Either way I know I'll be coming back to Rose's work again, and I especially can't wait to read what she writes about Opaline's future daughter (because you know that has to be what's coming!).

4.5/5

SYNOPSIS

AS WORLD WAR I RAGES AND THE ROMANOV DYNASTY REACHES ITS SUDDEN, BRUTAL END, A YOUNG JEWELRY MAKER DISCOVERS LOVE, PASSION, AND HER OWN HEALING POWERS IN THIS RICH AND ROMANTIC NOVEL BY NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR M.J. ROSE.

Nestled deep within Paris’s historic Palais Royal, safe inside La Fantasie Russie’s once-bustling workshop, young, ambitious Opaline Duplessi spends her days making trench watches for soldiers at the front and mourning jewelry for the mothers, wives, and lovers of those who have fallen. Opaline has a rare gift, a form of lithomancy that allows her to translate the energy emanating from stones. Certain gemstones enable her to receive messages from beyond. In her mind, she is no mystic, but merely a messenger giving voice to soldiers who died before they were able to properly express themselves to loved ones. Until one day, one of these fallen soldiers communicates a message—directly to her. So begins a dangerous journey that will take Opaline into the darkest corners of wartime Paris and across the English Channel, where the exiled Romanov dowager empress is waiting to discover the fate of her family.

Full of romance, seduction, and a love so powerful it reaches beyond the grave, The Secret Language of Stones is yet another “entrancing read that will long be savored” (Library Journal, starred review).

“Spellbinding.” —Alyson Richman, author of The Lost Wife

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M.J. Rose grew up in New York City exploring the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum and the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park —and reading her mother’s favorite books before she was allowed.

She is the author of more than a dozen novels, the co-president and founding board member of International Thriller Writers, and the founder of the first marketing company for authors, AuthorBuzz.com. She lives in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Please visit her website, her blog: Museum of Mysteries.
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To send M.J. a message and/or request a signed bookplate, send an email to mjroseauthor at gmail dot com

Sunday, July 24, 2016

I figured it's about time for me check in with a Mailbox Monday post, right?

Gifted from My DadSpaghetti and Meatballs for All! by Marilyn Burns
I've actually seen this book on several lists of math books for children. In the story, Mr. and Mrs. Comfort throw a dinner party and have to arrange, rearrange, and rearrange the table and chairs to make room for everybody learning a bit about perimeter on the way.

Little Beaver Builds a Bed by Katie Thompson
This one was actually written by one of my dad's friends. It's about a beaver who builds a bed with his dad for a very special person.

From PJ LibraryTea with Zayde by Barney Saltzberg
This is actually a really cute and relevant for us book. Each day the little girl in the story has tea with her grandfather. Except you realize on the last page that they aren't meeting in person but over the internet. Until a few years ago a book like this never would have existed, but for kids growing up like Elley now, it's hard to imagine life without this type of technology.

Happy, Happy by Bara Bat-Shem
This one is slightly more traditional, but still adorable, as the book goes through the various happy times that occur in a baby's first year. Knowing Elley, I have a feeling this is one I'll be reading, over and over and over again.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Back when I was pregnant with Elley, I posted about it when I was 13 weeks along. This time, well, I just hit 28 weeks. Last time I took a picture every week and while I may not have posted them each week I was pretty close. It's pretty clear that I'm not posting weekly updates this time around. And while I haven't taken photos every week, these are the few photos I managed. Already this baby is suffering from being the second child. Ha!

11 Weeks14 Weeks

Like last time, overall I'm having a really easy pregnancy. I still gag when I brush my teeth in the morning, (Once again that was one of the first signs I was pregnant.) but overall morning sickness was never that bad. Honestly, the hardest part has been the exhaustion. Being pregnant and dealing with a toddler is no joke, hence the fact that I've been so non-existent lately. Most nights after Elley goes to sleep, all I want to do is lay on the couch and zone out in front of the tv.

15 Weeks17 Weeks

In good news though, I don't have gestational diabetes this time around! I actually had to take my one hour test early due to last pregnancy, but passed it. Even so, I still had to take the one hour test the normal time and failed. At this point I had to take the 3 hour test again and I was sure I was going to fail, but surprised myself. Basically this means desserts are still in!

19 Weeks20 Weeks

We've done basically nothing to get ready for the baby. We had talked about getting a new house before the baby arrived, but since that isn't happening, the plan is to turn the library into a bedroom. Easier sad than done though since that room is packed with books. I've started going through and sorting books to pass on and others to put in storage, but there's still a long way to go.

22 Weeks26 Weeks

As for Elley, she'll be 22 months old when this baby arrives and I have no idea how she's going to react. She will point to my stomach and say baby. But she'll also point to her own stomach and say baby, so I'm not sure she quite gets it. Although come October she'll figure it out and I'm not sure she'll be too happy with the changes.

27 Weeks

I'd love to promise you I'll be back soon with more pregnancy updates. But with my luck the next time I post about this baby it will be here! Ha! Hopefully that doesn't happen and I manage to check in a time or two before then!